Mass Effect 2 Walkthrough & Strategy Guide

Naturally, we're going to want to scramble outside to help in any way we can. The door leading outside is to your left. Follow the linear passageway from there, and you'll find one of Tali's friends, a Quarian marine commander named Kal'Reegar. You can speak with him here about what's going on, but what you'll learn isn't pleasant. Kal's entire team has been wiped out by the Geth, and he's the only remaining Quarian standing in between the Geth and Tali. Unfortunately, Tali is on the far side of this area, and Kal can now only draw the Geth's fire, hoping to distract them. He informs you that he has a rocket launcher that can be used on the Colossus, though the Colossus' self-healing mechanism has made things exceptionally difficult. Pick Kal's brain about the battle plan and other topics. When he goes to sacrifice himself, Paragons can use a quicktime event to ensure that Kal stays alive. And then, you'll gain control. It's time for a hell of a heated battle.

This fight seems a lot harder than it is, but rest assured that it's nothing you can't handle. Not even remotely. If you listened to Kal during the last conversation, then you should know exactly what you need to do here to survive. Though this area is a gigantic square, and you can actually work your way up to the far side of the compound from your left, you should instead take Kal's advice and use the raised catwalk on the far right end of this location to ultimately flank the Colossus. Of course, the Colossus isn't the only threat you'll have to deal with here. On the contrary, while you won't have to deal with pesky drones, you'll still have to deal with Geth of all strengths. Initially, from your starting position, you can eliminate the Geth that populate the center of the area. But you'll need to run to your right before very long to ensure that the Geth walking forward along the catwalk there don't flank you. If they do, chances are it will be lights out for you.

When you're finally on the catwalk, threats will be twofold. In addition to the incoming Geth (some of whom have powerful flamethrowers), you'll also have to deal with the sun. If you're not crouched behind a crate here, you're going to get burned in more ways than one, so be cautious. Work your way forward slowly, dodging intermittent rocket salvos from the Colossus as you deal with the more present threat in front of you -- the Geth soldiers. When you finally get to the far end of the catwalk, descend the stairs, and set your sights on the Colossus. You're in a good position here to do a lot of damage, especially with the nearby concrete pillar. With all other Geth killed, it's entirely possible to leisurely set yourself up so that a concrete pillar is in between you and the Colossus, while only exposing a sliver of the enemy to take aim at. Conventional weapons work well enough here, but as evidenced by the heavy ammunition containers around you, the Colossus is meant to be felled with extreme firepower. Naturally, you should oblige.

Following the Colossus' destruction, you're free to explore the area where the fray just took place. While being careful of the sun's detrimental effects on your party, a thorough exploration of this location will net you four stores of Iridium. Seems this planet has plenty of the stuff. After grabbing all of the Iridium, you can then get through the door Tali just opened for you. Examine the Geth corpse on the ground for more credits, and then approach her at the computer terminal. You can now speak with her at length in regard to what's happening here, and what her research on the sun at the center of the system has netted. Kal will eventually show up as well, injured but alive (if you saved him pre-fight). After exploring all angles of the conversation tree, there's nothing left to do but go on our way. And yes, Tali will gladly join your squad, leaving Kal to head back to the Quarian fleet on his own, with her ever-valuable data in hand.

Following the conversation with Tali back on the planet surface, you'll find yourself automatically transported to the Normandy. Here, a brief conversation ensues between Jacob and Tali. As you may remember from earlier on in the game, Cerberus was responsible for infiltrating the Quarian fleet and destroying one of the ships within it. Tali hasn't forgotten about it, and makes it completely clear that she's here for Shepard, and not to help out Cerberus in any way, shape or form. Through the insults, Jacob remains patient, and agrees to give her clearance to check out what she wants to on the new Normandy. She is a talented engineer, after all.